Solenoid armature rod means and striker means for pianos



A. H. HAYDEN May 7, 1963 SOLENOID ARMATURE ROD MEANS AND STRIKER MEANS FOR PIANOS Filed March 28, 1961 Unite rates atent Illinois Filed Mar. 28, 1961, Ser. No. 98,825 8 Claims. Cl. 84-246) This invention relates to pianos having solenoid-actuated note playing means, and more particularly to solenoid means including new and improved armature rod means and striker means mounted thereon for adjustment relative to the playing means.

In the manufacture of pianos, there are considerable differences in both structure and arrangement between one make and another. This presents a difficult problem in providing solenoid-actuated playing means for pianos of various manufacturers, especially in the mounting of the solenoids for proper actuation of the note playing means.

For example, in a vertical type of piano an ideal location for the solenoids is beneath the juxtaposed whips of the actions. However, the solenoid mounting means must be located in a single position longitudinally of the whips for proper striking of the whips by the striker heads on the solenoid armature rods.

In the ideal position, the striker head is located directly beneath the forward end of the whip remote from its pivotal mounting. Thus, the actuating force required to be exerted by the striker head on the whip is kept to a minimum by taking advantage of the full length of whip, just as when the whip is manually actuated through the sticker, which is connected to the forward end of the whip.

In practice, it is not always possible to so precisely locate the solenoid mounting means because of the variable arrangements and structures of different makes of pianos. As a consequence, it would be necessary either to substantially modify the structure of the solenoid mounting means or of the piano, and thereby excessively increase costs of manufacture.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to avoid such modification of the solenoid mounting means or the piano by providing solenoid means including new and improved armature rod means and striker means mounted thereon for adjustment relative to the note playing means.

A more specific object is to provide such solenoid means wherein the armature rod means and striker means thereon are so constructed and designed that the striker means are readily adjustable longitudinally of the note playing means, such as a whip in a vertical type of piano, for properly positioning the striker means with respect to the whip, such as directly beneath its forward end remote from its pivotal mounting.

Another object is to provide such solenoid means wherein the armature rod means and striker means thereon are simple yet rugged in construction, economical to manufacture, easy to assemble and disassemble, effective and efficient in operation, and durable over a long period of repeated usage.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing wherein:

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view of the whip and sticker or abstract of a typical inverted sticker or drop type piano action such as employed in a vertical piano, solenoid mounting means, and solenoid means including the solenoid armature rod means and striker means thereon which constitute a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the upper portion of FIG. 1, and illustrates the upper horizontally offset end of a solenoid armature rod and a striker head adjustably mounted thereon, the head being shown in its outermost position between two adjacent outer stop means on the rod end and located directly beneath the forward end of the whip;

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but illustrates the striker head adjusted to an intermediate position between two adjacent intermediate stop means on the rod end, and located directly beneath the forward end of the whip;

FIG. 4 is a view similar to FIGS. 2 and 3, but illustrates striker head adjusted to an innermost position between two adjacent inner stop means on the rod end and located directly beneath the forward end of the whip, and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross sectional view taken substantially along line 5-5 of FIG. 2, and illustrates in detail the structure of a pair of stops upset from the horizontal upper end of the armature rod.

Referring to the drawing, and particularly FIG. 1, a portion of a typical inverted sticker or drop type of piano action is generally indicated at 10, and this action includes a sticker or abstract 11 which is raised by a playing key (not shown) and is pivotally connected to the forward end of a whip 12. Upon operation of the playing key, the sticker 11 causes the whip 12 to pivot in a clockwise direc tion, as viewed in FIG. 1, and to actuate the hammer (not shown) of the action and sound the desired note. This type of action is generally used in a vertical type of piano (not shown) as is well known and understood by those skilled in the art. However, the application of the present invention is not necessarily restricted to such an action or vertical type of piano.

Located below the whip 12 of action 10 are the solenoid means, each generally indicated at 13, and the solenoid mounting means generally indicated at 14. Upon energization by a chord and note playing mechanism (not shown) through electrical connections (not shown), the solenoid means 13 strike the corresponding whip or whips 12 to actuate the hammers of the actions, as noted above.

The solenoid mounting means 14 includes an upright panel 15, which is made of any suitable material such as fiberboard, is spaced below and extends transversely of the whip 12. This panel is provided with a flat, front working surface 16 and is secured to the piano frame (not shown) in any suitable manner. Secured to support panel 15 are the various solenoid means 13, three such means being shown in vertically spaced arrangement. Actually, the solenoid means 13 are arranged in vertically spaced horizontal rows with the solenoid means in one row being staggered or offset with respect to those in another row. Only one solenoid means 13 is shown in each of the three rows represented so that the movable portions thereof which strike the corresponding whip 12 may be arranged directly beneath such whips.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the solenoid mounting means 14 includes a plurality of vertically spaced, horizontal and elongated clamping bars 17 which also extend transversely of the actions 10. These bars are arranged along the front flat surface 16 of support panel 15, and one bar is preferably provided for each row of solenoid means 13. Each bar 17 is preferably channel-shaped in cross section and is arranged so that the edge of its lower flange 18 opposes and abuts the flat surface 16 of panel 15, while its upper flange 20, which is narrower than the lower flange 18, has its edge opposing but spaced from surface 16. Each bar 17 is also mounted for generally normal movement relative to surface 16, and the clamping action of each bar with respect to the surface may be varied by any suitable fastening means such as bolts 21 which pass through a hole provided in the bar 17 between its flanges, as well as an aligned hole provided in the panel 15, and are secured in place by nuts 22.

The motion of certain movable elements of the solenoid means 13 is preferably controlled by the following elements of the mounting means 14. A single horizontal shelf 23 is provided for the three rows of the solenoid means, and this shelf is preferably formed from an elongated sheet of metal, such as aluminum, which is bent into a substantially L-shape in cross section. The shelf 23 is arranged horizontally along support panel 15 to extend transversely of the sections 10, and the pending vertical leg 24 of the shelf abuts against working surface 16 of panel 15, and is rigidly secured in place by any suitable fastening means, such as screws (not shown). The upper horizontal leg 25 of the shelf extends laterally outwardly or frontwardly away from panel 15, and is provided on its upper surface with an elongated cushioning member 26 which is preferably made of a suitable, non-metallic material such as felt, and may be adhesively secured to the top surface of the horizontal leg 25 of the shelf.

Spaced below each shelf 23 is an elongated and horizontal upper clamping bar 27 which is generally Z-shaped in cross section. The upper horizontal leg 28 of bar 27 is spaced below and arranged substantially parallel to the horizontal leg 25 of shelf 23, while the edge of the lower horizontal leg 30 of bar 27 opposes the flat surface 16 of panel 15 and engages the vertical leg 24 of the shelf. These upper and lower horizontal legs 28, 38 are connected by a vertical leg 31, and the bar is arranged for generally normal movement relative to shelf 23, the bar being adjustably secured to the panel by any suitable fastening means such as screws 32 which pass through aligned holes provided in the vertical legs 31 and 24 into the body of the panel.

A plurality of elongated upper guides 33 (only one being shown) are arranged in juxtaposition between the horizontal leg 25 of shelf 23 and the upper horizontal leg 28 of upper clamping bar 27. For quietness of operation, each guide 33 is preferably made of suitable non-metallic material such as felt, the inner end of each guide being clamped between shelf 23 and bar 27, and the outer end protruding frontwardly from the shelf and bar and being arranged longitudinally of and directly beneath the corresponding whip 12 of each action 10. As will be apparent, adjustment of screws 32 varies the clamping action of bar 27 to permit the desired movement of each guide 33 transversely of the corresponding whip 12 and the desired alignment of the guide directly beneath such whip. In addition, the outer end of each guide 33 is provided with a through opening 34, for a purpose to be described below.

Continuing with FIG. 1, the structure of each solenoid means 13 will now be described. Such means includes a generally rectangular casing generally indicated at 35 and which is composed of two metal plates. One plate is elongated and is bent into a substantially U- shape to form a front wall 36, a top wall 37, and a rear wall 38. The bottom wall 40 of casing 35 is preferably formed from a separate flat plate of metal, and these two plates are secured together in any suitable manner, not shown.

The casing 35 is also provided with lower guide means which are preferably in the form of a pair of laterally spaced and parallel, horizontal and elongated guides or arms 41 (only one being shown), which arms project frontwardly from the front end of bottom wall 40 and are arranged longitudinally of and beneath the corresponding whip 12 of action Slidably mounted over each guide 41 is an elongated, resilient sleeve 42. These sleeves are preferably made of suitable non-metallic and resilient material such as rubber, to facilitate quiet operation of the solenoid means.

Continuing with the casing 35, the top and bottom walls 37 and 40 thereof are provided with vertically aligned, through openings 43, 44 respectively for receiving portions of the solenoid coil means described below. At its lower end, the rear wall 38 of casing 35 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced vertically depending tongues 45 (only one being shown) and these tongues are adapted to fit between the upper flange 20 of the lower clamping bar 17 and the fiat surface 16 of support panel 15. Just as with the upper clamping bar 27, adjustment of bolts 21 and nuts 22 varies the clamping action of the corresponding lower clamping bar 17 to permit the desired movement of each casing 35 transversely of the corresponding whip 12, and the desired alignment of the casing 35 directly beneath such whip.

Each solenoid means 13 also includes vertically arranged coil means preferably composed of a cylindrical coil 46 of wire which may be grounded to the casing 35 in any suitable manner (not shown) and which is wound around a cylindrical spool or bobbin 47, which spool may be made of any suitable non-metallic material such as nylon. This spool is preferably composed of an elongated and hollow cylindrical core 48 and a pair of laterally outstanding annular flanges 50 spaced inwardly from each end of core 48. The flanges 50 of spool 47 respectively engage the opposing sides of the casing top and bottom walls 37, 40 and the protruding ends of the core 48 are received in the aligned openings 43, 44 provided in such top and bottom walls respectively, all for securely retaining the coil means in proper position Within casing 35.

Each solenoid means 13 also includes an elongated, cylindrical armature 51 which is preferably made of suitable magnetically permeable metallic material. This armature is adapted to reciprocate vertically within core 48 of spool 47, and intermediate its ends is provided with an annular notch or groove 52 into which is inserted an annular, outstanding guide 53. This guide is preferably made of suitable non-metallic material such as felt, and actually slides along the inner periphery of core 48 as armature 51 recriprocates. Thus, the felt guide 53 not only controls the movement of the armature so that it will also be properly centered along the central longitudinal axis of core 48, but also insures quiet movement of the armature. At its lower end, armature 51 is provided with an internally threaded recess 54 for receiving a portion of the armature rod to be described below.

The solenoid armature rod means and the striker means thereon which constitute a preferred embodiment of the present invention, will now be described.

Continuing with FIG. 1, each solenoid means 13 also includes a vertically movable and elongated armature rod which is adapted to pass through the lower guide means formed by ears or guides 41, as well as through the hole 34 in the outer end of the upper guide 33. There are actually three armature rods illustrated in FIG. 1, the longest being designated as 55a, the one of intermediate length as 55b and the shortest as 550. Each armature rod is provided with a lower, laterally offset end portion 56a, b or c having a vertically arranged and externally threaded tip 57a, 15 or c which is screwed into the recess 54 in the corresponding armature 51, and a horizontal, laterally oifset, upper end portion 58a, b or c (the latter two not being shown) which extends over the cushioning member 26 on shelf 23 and is arranged longitudinally of and beneath its corresponding whip 12.

As also seen in FIGS. 2-4, the upper end portion 58a of rod 55a is preferably provided with four, and at least three, longitudinally spaced pairs of diametrically opposed and radially extending stops 60a, b, c, and d. Mounted on the upper end portion 58a is an annular striking head 61 which is preferably made of suitable, non-metallic resilient material such as rubber, and head 61 is formed with a central through bore 62 to fit snugly over portion 58a, and is also provided with a pair of axially spaced and laterally outstanding radial end flanges 63.

As best seen in FIG. 5, the stops, such as 6011, are upset from the upper end portion 58a of rod 55a, and project radially beyond the normal outer circumference of the end portion. The formation of the various stops can be readily accomplished in a single upsetting operation, employing simple male and female dies (not shown).

At will be apparent from FIGS. 2-4, the annular striking head 61 is adjustable along the upper end portion 58a of rod 55a from a position between and engagement with any two adjacent pairs of stops such as 600 and 60d (FIG. i2) to a position between and engagement with any other two pairs of adjacent stops such as 6011 and 660 (FIG. 3) or 60a and 60b (FIG. 4). As will be explained more in detail below, the purpose of this adjustment is to locate the striker head 61 directly beneath the forward end of its corresponding whip 12 for proper actuation thereof.

When in its position of rest, after being properly located directly beneath the forward end of its corresponding whip 12, as shown in any of FIGS. l-4, the striker head 61 is supported on the cushioning member 26 and is spaced below the whip 12. However, upon energization of the corresponding solenoid means 13, the armature 51 and its armature rod, such as 5501, move vertically upwardly to lift the head which strikes the whip and actuates the piano action for sounding the desired note.

Inasmuch as the striker head 61 can be readily adjusted on the upper rod end portion 53a longitudinally of and relative to its corresponding whip 12, the location of the solenoid mounting means 14, particularly upright panel 15, can be varied within limits. From experience with a number of pianos of diiferent manufacture, it has been found that four longitudinally spaced pairs of stops such as 60a, [2, c, and d are adequate to permit a range of locations for the upright panel without requiring modification of either the solenoid mounting means 14 or the structure of the piano in which it is installed. At the same time the use of these four longitudinally spaced pairs of stops provides three different positions for the striker head 61 so that it may be properly located directly beneath the forward end of its corresponding whip, in order to take advantage of the full length of the whip, and thereby reduce to the practical minimum the force required to be exerted by the solenoid means 13 in actuating the whip.

For example, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, the upright panel 15 of the solenoid mounting means 14 is located in its forwardmost position with respect to the forward end of the Whip 12, and in such position, it is but a simple matter to adjust the striker head 61 on the upper rod end portion 58a to its outermost position be tween and in engagement with the two outermost adjacent pairs of stops 60c and 60d. On the other hand, if the upright panel 15 need be located in an intermediate position closer to the rear end of whip 12, the striker head 61 can be readily adjusted to a position between and in engagement with adjacent pairs of stops 60b and 600 as clearly indicated in FIG. 3. If the upright panel 15 need be moved even further away from the forward end of whip 12, then the striker head 61 can be readily located between and in engagement with adjacent pairs of stops 60a and 6012.

However, it will be noted that in any of the three positions illustrated in FIGS. 2-4, the striker head 61 is properly located in the desired position directly beneath the forward end of whip 12. Thus, by the relatively simple, yet most effective expedient of providing the longitudinally spaced pairs of stops 60a, 11, c and d on the upper end portion 58a of rod 55a, and adjustably mounting the striker head 61 thereon, the striker head can be properly located in its desired position relative to whip 12, while permitting a range of locations for the upright panel 15 of the solenoid mounting means 14, and thereby eliminate any modification of either the solenoid mounting means or the piano in which it is installed. While the preferred number of longitudinally spaced pairs of stops is four, it will be apparent that this number could be varied as desired, the only limitation being that there must be at least three such pairs in order to provide at least two positions of adjustment for the striker head.

From the foregoing description, it will be apparent how the invention accomplishes its various objectives, such as the desired adjustment and positioning of the striker head longitudinally of the whip and elimination of modification of either the solenoid mounting means or the piano. In addition, it will be apparent that the armature rod means and striker means thereon are not only simple and rugged in construction and durable over a long period of repeated usage, but also economical to manufacture, as to assemble and disassemble, as well as effective and elficient in operation.

While the invention has been described and illustrated herein with respect to a single embodiment, it is to be understood that various changes and modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, without departing from the invention, the scope of which is to be determined by the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a piano having note playing means, the combination therewith of solenoid means for actuating said note playing means, said solenoid means including movable armature rod means having a portion provided with at least three longitudinally spaced laterally projecting stop means, and striker means adjustably mounted on said portion for movement relative to said note playing means from a position between any two adjacent stop means to a position between any other two adjacent stop means, said striker means being engageable with said note playing means when said solenoid means is energized.

2. In a piano having note playing means, the combination therewith of solenoid means for actuating said note playing means, said solenoid means including movable armature rod means having a laterally offset portion arranged generally longitudinally of said note playing means and provided with at least three longitudinally spaced laterally projecting stop means, and striker means adjustably mounted on said offset portion for generally longitudinal movement relative to said note playing means from a position between any two adjacent stop means to a position between any other two adjacent stop means, said striker means being engageable with said note playing means when said solenoid means is energized.

3. In a piano having note playing means, the combination therewith of a solenoid for actuating said note playing means, said solenoid including a movable armature rod having a laterally offset end portion arranged generally longitudinally of said note playing means and provided with at lea-st three longitudinally spaced pairs of laterally projecting stops, and a striker head adjustably mounted on said oifset portion for generally longitudinal movement relative to said note playing means from a position between any two adjacent pairs of said stops to a position between any other two adjacent pairs of said stops, said striker head being engageable with said note playing means when said solenoid is energized.

4. In a piano having note playing means, the combination therewith of a solenoid for actuating said note playing means, said solenoid including an elongated and generally cylindrical, movable armature rod having a laterally otfset end portion arranged generally longitudinally of said note playing means and provided with at least three longitudinally spaced pairs of diametrically opposed and radially projecting stops upset therefrom, and an annular resilient striker head embracingly and adjustably mounted on said offset portion for generally longitudinal movement relative to said note playing means from a posi tion between and engagement with any two adjacent pairs of said stops to a position between and in engagement with any other two adjacent pairs of said stops, said striker head being engageable with said note playing means when said solenoid is energized.

5. In a piano including an action having a movable element, and support means, the combination therewith of solenoid means mounted on said support means and operatively associated with said element, said solenoid means including movable armature rod means having a portion provided with at least three longitudinally spaced laterally projecting stop means, and striker means adjustably mounted on said portion for movement relative to said element from a position between any two adjacent stop means to a position between any other two adjacent stop means, said striker means being supported on said support means and movable away from said support means to strike said element when said solenoid means is energized.

6. In a piano including an action having a movable element, and support means spaced from said element, the combination therewith of solenoid means mounted on said support means and operatively associated with said element, said solenoid means including movable armature rod means having a laterally oltset portion arranged generally longitudinally of said element and provided with at least three longitudinally spaced laterally projecting stop means, and striker means adjustably mounted on said oitset portion for generally longitudinal movement relative to said element from a position between any two adjacent stop means to a position between any other two adjacent stop means, said striker means being supported on said support means and movable away from said support means to strike said element when said solenoid means is energized.

7. In a piano including an action having a movable element, and a support spaced below said element, the combination therewith of a solenoid mounted on said support and :operatively associated with said element, said solenoid including a vertically movable armature rod having a generally horizontal upper end portion arranged generally longitudinally of said element and provided with at least three longitudinally spaced pairs of laterally projecting stops, and a striker head adjustably mounted on said horizontal upper end portion for generally longitudinal movement relative to said element from a position between any two adjacent pairs of said stops to a position between any other two adjacent pairs of said stops, said striker head being supported on said support and arranged to move upwardly to strike said element when said solenoid is energized.

8. In a piano including an action having a movable ele ment, and a support having a horizontal shelf spaced below said element, the combination therewith of a solenoid mounted on said support below said shelf and operatively associated with said element, said solenoid including an elongated and generally cylindrical, vertically movable rod having a generally horizontal upper end portion arranged generally longitudinally of said element and provided with at least three longitudinally spaced pairs of diametrically opposed and radially projecting stops upset therefrom, and an annular resilient striker head embracingly and adjustably mounted on said offset portion for generally longitudinal movement relative to said element from a position between and in engagement with any two adjacent pairs of said stops to a position between and in engagement with any other two adjacent pairs of said stops, said striker head being supported on said shelf and arranged to move upwardly to strike said element when said solenoid is energized.

References Cited in the tile of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 

1. IN A PIANO HAVING NOTE PLAYING MEANS, THE COMBINATION THEREWITH OF SOLENOID MEANS FOR ACTUATING SAID NOTE PLAYING MEANS, SAID SOLENOID MEANS INCLUDING MOVABLE ARMATURE ROD MEANS HAVING A PORTION PROVIDED WITH AT LEAST THREE LONGITUDINALLY SPACED LATERALLY PROJECTING STOP MEANS, AND STRIKER MEANS ADJUSTABLY MOUNTED ON SAID PORTION FOR MOVEMENT RELATIVE TO SAID NOTE PLAYING MEANS FROM A POSITION BETWEEN ANY TWO ADJACENT STOP MEANS, A POSITION BETWEEN ANY OTHER TWO ADJACENT STOP MEANS SAID STRIKER MEANS BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID NOTE PLAYING MEANS WHEN SAID SOLENOID MEANS IS ENERGIZED. 